Physocarpus opulifolius – Eastern Ninebark

The diverse colored-foliage varieties of this shrub are now planted extensively in gardens. The green-leaved straight species is native to our area and was used in gardens for many years before the advent of those varieties, primarily for the attractive bark that develops on mature specimens – it becomes dark brown to dull orange, eventually shredding into thin strips or broad sheets – as well as its arching, billowy form. We think the straight species still has a role in the landscape because it’s more likely to be ecologically functional – a wide array of moths feed on the foliage, and numerous pollinators feed from the flowers. And sometimes you just don’t want a purple- or ginger-colored shrub in the landscape! Closely related to Spiraeas but it does not share those plants resistance to deer.